tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45525513920868753432024-03-21T13:32:22.631-05:00Miranda AtchleyMiranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.comBlogger608125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-70001184696359328552024-03-21T13:19:00.002-05:002024-03-21T13:19:16.497-05:00Hello There<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw6oaBuybC13TCADppgzsFaLdv1XX9V6iW59AxuYvrqB5lFXUhYK-TZ27XNVxfi7LbMtc0gdkEE4vU0HhD5sCLqViwT1DcW1zreFSCfOAOQjV5NhcckmUAeedPcdyNSrJhvegnc3oErDhwA5CZTi8lMuWukEAoABfOmQKnl1_Aq3wW4-xyFvR0NZ0HxR9/s2592/IMG_20190502_133709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw6oaBuybC13TCADppgzsFaLdv1XX9V6iW59AxuYvrqB5lFXUhYK-TZ27XNVxfi7LbMtc0gdkEE4vU0HhD5sCLqViwT1DcW1zreFSCfOAOQjV5NhcckmUAeedPcdyNSrJhvegnc3oErDhwA5CZTi8lMuWukEAoABfOmQKnl1_Aq3wW4-xyFvR0NZ0HxR9/s320/IMG_20190502_133709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Dear reader, I cannot believe that it has been over a year since I posted anything on this blog. It is inexcusable, that's what. Okay, it's not that bad. Just a little sad.<p></p><p>Last year started out rather difficult with some of my health issues deterring me from doing much writing. I've spent a lot of time working on myself and had some major life changes. And so I did not finish any of the writing projects I have started and I did not review many books last year. I really think I needed a break to get other things in my life settled. I'm feeling so much better than I did last year. I'm at a job that I love, I have my car now, and I'm working toward other goals, taking things a step at a time.</p><p>And I'm back to writing! Yay! I don't get as many words in per day as I used to, but I make progress when I can, and the project I am working is something very close to my heart that I am so excited about.</p><p>I'd also like to maybe revive this blog a bit, though I will make no promises. Do people still read blogs? But it would be nice to get some book reviews back up here.</p><p>I hope you're all doing well, readers. Until next time...</p><p>-Miranda Atchley<br /></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-53494793258394200712023-02-14T10:30:00.001-06:002023-02-14T10:30:43.398-06:00Review: Della and Darby by Susannah B. Lewis<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjMDPPwbZpiNAVX1JyKmELlPk4z4nTcApfLL6LwJ_y7vdJnZfzUzJg6PTtn4C27lNoY8Sp9-7gROCX78Nxlv_QSB8uuxle7u8F_UVlJll77L2OnzHXTPsbwm570msDCSUfvUcFAsZQ0A4jtrGKXDIBuomtdLnG5DzK-syn-mBneOe2-_G8fpMsOPbEQ/s400/61349356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjMDPPwbZpiNAVX1JyKmELlPk4z4nTcApfLL6LwJ_y7vdJnZfzUzJg6PTtn4C27lNoY8Sp9-7gROCX78Nxlv_QSB8uuxle7u8F_UVlJll77L2OnzHXTPsbwm570msDCSUfvUcFAsZQ0A4jtrGKXDIBuomtdLnG5DzK-syn-mBneOe2-_G8fpMsOPbEQ/s320/61349356.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Della-Darby-Susannah-B-Lewis-ebook/dp/B0B5CHNPWS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=della+and+darby+susannah+lewis&qid=1676391654&sprefix=della+and+%2Caps%2C614&sr=8-1">Della and Darby</a><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">by Susannah B.
Lewis<i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>About the Book<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="font-family: georgia;"> </o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: times;">In this small Mississippi town, everyone has long memories and loud opinions.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Twins Della and Darby Redd may be identical in appearance, but they couldn’t be more different. Della is outspoken, obsessed with purple, and desperate to be accepted by her peers. Darby is introverted, creative, and sees no need to speak to anyone besides her sister and grandmother, Birdie. Due to a tragedy from their past, all three women’s lives have been blanketed in judgment, scandal, and rumor, preventing them from experiencing true peace and contentment in their small town of Clay Station, Mississippi.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">When the sisters enter the final year of their twenties, Birdie and Della begin planning an elaborate thirtieth birthday bash. Della believes the party will finally win her acceptance with the in-crowd and dreams of bringing her boss, Dr. Brian Faulkner, as her date. But when Darby begins to form an unexpected friendship with her goofy coworker, Cliff, she learns through him about a scandalous secret involving Dr. Faulkner that is sure to end in disaster. Telling her sister the truth will force them both to face the reality of who they have become—and whether they still have a place in each other’s future.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">In her latest novel, beloved Southern author Susannah B. Lewis explores the burden and blessing of family legacies and the moments along the way for which to give thanks and celebrate.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>My Thoughts<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I love this book. I cannot stress that enough. It has
most assuredly earned a spot on my all-time favorites shelf. And it’s so
surprising, because I am not a huge fan of contemporary fiction. It has to be
something really special for me to get excited about contemporary fiction. <i>Della
and Darby</i> is so far beyond “something special.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Susannah B. Lewis just has a gift. Her way with words is
something magical. I just lose myself in her books and come out feeling so full
when I’ve turned the last page. I loved her last novel, <i>Bless Your Heart,
Rae Sutton</i>, but <i>Della and Darby</i> is on a whole other level, in my
opinion.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I think one of the reasons this book resonated with me so
much is the complexities of the two sisters and their relationship. They are
twins and have been through everything together, yet they have been affected by
their circumstances in such different ways. Della’s pain manifests itself as a
need for perfection, to prove herself to those around her. Darby withdraws into
herself, preferring to spend her quiet life working at the local factory and
evenings with her grandmother. Della and Darby are like most other sisters;
they argue and hurl hurtful words at one another. They misunderstand one
another at times, yet at others know exactly what the other needs. And underneath
it all, there is a deep love that no circumstance can diminish.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Another thing that I adore about this book is that it
does not glamorize the South, as so much Southern fiction is wont to do. Yes,
people “bless” each other’s hearts, and there is sweet tea and fried green
tomatoes aplenty, but it paints a true picture of what life in the South is like.
The class divides, the struggles, the hypocrisy, the community, and the
simplicity of a quiet life in a small town. I also like how “regular” lives
were portrayed. Della works as a receptionist at a doctor’s office, and Darby
works at a factory. It was nice to see “blue collar” workers positively portrayed
in fiction for once.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I can’t say enough good things about <i>Della and Darby</i>.
This is a book that I would recommend to anyone.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas
Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.<o:p></o:p></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-12357059548645338442023-02-10T12:03:00.003-06:002023-02-10T12:03:37.385-06:00Review: In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00M8S6RaOWylWpTQnBynAiwsO_hS0j3dI3ARnNsbLtRSrioL42FTEB1JKi4UVS363Q3YbnKB80ky4hUArMJFKOp8E0tXC_3Ztf7Cql29Svo_K46DlOAesico5QcYj-LzMV_TrdLTg6gWwKxX_K4aPtMmh69PaJfsIAfF8y6h9VYKlpppmtSLtBvQIgA/s500/41ad1VdXEmL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00M8S6RaOWylWpTQnBynAiwsO_hS0j3dI3ARnNsbLtRSrioL42FTEB1JKi4UVS363Q3YbnKB80ky4hUArMJFKOp8E0tXC_3Ztf7Cql29Svo_K46DlOAesico5QcYj-LzMV_TrdLTg6gWwKxX_K4aPtMmh69PaJfsIAfF8y6h9VYKlpppmtSLtBvQIgA/s320/41ad1VdXEmL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spotlight-Shadow-Doors-Past-ebook/dp/B0B81GDVQP/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=in+spotlight+and+shadow+Rachel+Scott+McDaniel&qid=1676051780&sr=8-1">In Spotlight and Shadow</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Rachel Scott McDaniel</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700 !important;">A Gem of a Mystery Takes Center Stage</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic !important;">Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she’d be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she’d take over the family’s auction company. But mostly she’s disappointed herself. What’s the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar—Pierson Brooks. Pierson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A century earlier…<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.</span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again, Rachel Scott McDaniel dazzles with her talent at penning sweet and snappy romance, this time with dual timelines.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scott’s passion for Jazz Age-era Pittsburg shines in all of her books, and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Spotlight and Shadow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is no exception. The William Penn Hotel comes to life in both its historic roots, as well as its contemporary state, and both are painted charmingly in Scott’s loving prose. Yet the characters are what made the book for me. In both timelines we are offered heroines who have deep wounds, yet strong spirits with loads of spunk and sparkling personalities. They are matched with complex and utterly charming heroes who are at once protective of the women they love, yet also leaving them room to be themselves.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The banter-filled dialogue is spot on. It fits in seamlessly with both the 1920s timeline, as well as the contemporary one. The fast pace of the stories will keep you turning pages, and the mystery will keep you guessing until the very end.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Spotlight and Shadow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a charming new novel that fans of inspirational historical romance will not want to miss.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-69973738080546096092023-01-31T13:49:00.001-06:002023-01-31T13:49:20.958-06:00Review + Spotlight Post: Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M. White <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSOaQLeLjFJWF9_fXDEd2yV6r16KGUFe5mHUVAiH2OSjBBX4hOmDMCyOiyBVrPOwy97ovSa21zcbEE4V90b1nxNzS83yjeKHUDOjqpv-pJFmPDuGNY5rjOwFkPfyAqxMULtLmdH5aOuG_nZ8QkEJcGk5T_K5u3gYvsmwhpry_JgwJ8Rre2_vxz6JFrA/s2551/Yesterdays-Tides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="1648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSOaQLeLjFJWF9_fXDEd2yV6r16KGUFe5mHUVAiH2OSjBBX4hOmDMCyOiyBVrPOwy97ovSa21zcbEE4V90b1nxNzS83yjeKHUDOjqpv-pJFmPDuGNY5rjOwFkPfyAqxMULtLmdH5aOuG_nZ8QkEJcGk5T_K5u3gYvsmwhpry_JgwJ8Rre2_vxz6JFrA/s320/Yesterdays-Tides.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yesterdays-Tides-Roseanna-M-White-ebook/dp/B0B6Q3MJ9Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=PJ88G8T9J5RI&keywords=yesterday%27s+Tides+Roseanna+M+White&qid=1675194141&sprefix=%2Caps%2C1394&sr=8-1">Yesterday’s Tides</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Roseanna M. White</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same –until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the ripples from the great war rock Evie and Sterling’s lives in World War II, it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beloved author Roseanna M. White returns with a heart-rending story of war, love, and loss spanning decades.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When one considers the close proximity in which the two world wars took place, it is only logical that lives would have been deeply impacted by both conflicts. This idea is played out blatantly throughout </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yesterday’s Tides</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In this work of historical fiction, we are offered dual timelines on the becoming island of Ocracoke in the outer banks of North Carolina. We see not only the effects both wars had on the lives of those living on the island, but the effects of the different ideas held by society in each era. Themes of racial inequality as well as the oppression of women are portrayed through Louisa in the WWI timeline. Her romance with Rem is a sweeping whirlwind, though it comes with seemingly insurmountable challenges. It is heart-rending to read of her separation from Rem, the two divided by ignorance. Yet Louisa proves a strong heroine that is as charming and intelligent as she is beautiful, making her a delight to read about. And in the WWII timeline, Evie carries on her mother’s legacy as she runs the inn. A woman of strong faith with a big heart, she is so caring of everyone that she comes into contact with. Her habit of collecting sea glass as a reminder of prayer is endearing. And while it takes a backseat to the unraveling of family secrets, Evie’s romance with Sterling is enchanting, as well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Long-time readers of White will relish all the threads of her past stories woven into this book. Myriad characters from her prior series make appearances in </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yesterday’s Tides</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, providing a plethora of fun little Easter eggs for readers to look for as the story unravels. We’re also introduced to a new cast of varied and complex characters in the pages of this book. Generations of Louisa and Evie’s family make appearances throughout, adding depth to this richly layered story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ocracoke Island is a character itself in the book. The enchanting setting with its mysterious nooks and crannies creates the perfect backdrop for a story of war and romance and family secrets.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of historical fiction won’t want to miss this mysterious, endearing, and tenderly told family saga. Highly recommended!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to Roseanna M. White and Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mirandaatchley.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-spotlight-post-shadowed-loyalty.html?m=1"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">M</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Y </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">R</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EVIEW OF </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HADOWED </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">L</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OYALTY</span></a></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscvn_nxPhLZziCfuMpISyeMishjjSCri5Ysb-rTmbcp_jZTMBGsDA9elacp7zg5WBHkQSBIXNTb2gC0OVSSDsSjZJMARAVoWTIafazo98HzzQYqrhucvZziE6C1gS8LdtOg3dL-VY0CZb4d2eEuzwhZVPowcSYv7Urh5I0SHnVbPE9yXmBmrRmj_9ZA/s2048/Roseanna%20-%20Author%20Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscvn_nxPhLZziCfuMpISyeMishjjSCri5Ysb-rTmbcp_jZTMBGsDA9elacp7zg5WBHkQSBIXNTb2gC0OVSSDsSjZJMARAVoWTIafazo98HzzQYqrhucvZziE6C1gS8LdtOg3dL-VY0CZb4d2eEuzwhZVPowcSYv7Urh5I0SHnVbPE9yXmBmrRmj_9ZA/s320/Roseanna%20-%20Author%20Photo.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BOUT THE </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UTHOR</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">F</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OLLOW </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">R</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OSEANNA</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/blog" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/newsletter-signup" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Newsletter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/roseannamwhite/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/roseannamwhite/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.twitter.com/RoseannaMWhite" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website</span></a></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-42251340020838688342023-01-19T19:58:00.002-06:002023-01-19T19:58:45.319-06:00Review: Secret of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlq-6l6-TlGkjr8f3yB6HVCOZ-GKfvlZ6AyFhueVH5mEyltPyMzz6ZkDzr-HDBYi3bIakSWpYH5EuUucvg8teWCi6-J3uRzwyvIZwHRCLP84uI6YNTCcFXrhfpUKJ3w_EbUuu2zLq-BS0vob2cgqP9InvS3DdAyjzlYMhf5Bos9EaPdtfYuT8AYPpqw/s500/41bopPybF4L._AC_SY1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlq-6l6-TlGkjr8f3yB6HVCOZ-GKfvlZ6AyFhueVH5mEyltPyMzz6ZkDzr-HDBYi3bIakSWpYH5EuUucvg8teWCi6-J3uRzwyvIZwHRCLP84uI6YNTCcFXrhfpUKJ3w_EbUuu2zLq-BS0vob2cgqP9InvS3DdAyjzlYMhf5Bos9EaPdtfYuT8AYPpqw/s320/41bopPybF4L._AC_SY1000_.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sonnets-Samantha-Hastings-ebook/dp/B0B8F2YLSM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3SXB90V5IYR50&keywords=secrets+of+the+sonnets&qid=1674179545&sprefix=secrets+of+the+sonne%2Caps%2C1020&sr=8-1">Secret of the Sonnets</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Samantha Hastings</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><span id="freeText6649887858676279220" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Miranda Hatch is a scholar, and at the advanced age of twenty-six, she is undoubtedly a spinster. Her single-minded ambition leads her not to seek a husband but to find the lost manuscripts of William Shakespeare. So when she discovers a connection between the Bard and the local dashing marquess, she pens a letter requesting access to papers that might secure her academic triumph.<br /><br />Lord Robert Hamilton is drowning in debt and must turn things around or risk losing his ancestral home. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he has little time to bother with a letter from an M. Hatch requesting access to ancestral papers―until he realizes there may be some financial merit in granting the request. To his great surprise, M. Hatch turns out to be none other than the lovely Miss Miranda. The pair soon embarks on the trail of a centuries-old mystery, drawn together not only by their shared goal but by their growing attraction. However, someone else is seeking the priceless papers, and they will not hesitate to remove anyone in the way of glory.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;">The premise of this book drew me to it. I love the Regency era and will look for any excuse to immerse myself in that period. And the idea of two people searching Shakespeare’s sonnets for secrets was intriguing. Miranda was a lovely heroine. She was smart and curious and just the sort of heroine I love to read about. There were times when I felt that the book lagged a bit, but the plot was so endearing, and the surprises made it fun.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><br /></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-16873481810466887882023-01-19T19:50:00.001-06:002023-01-19T19:50:51.815-06:00Review: The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bibvth50AfUlTJNsHpcdFEOKr71ov3q3lfi4rC7_x7rOXe_2izfuavSksDdwZY8gVIytYuZPpiicpuuKB6cT4yZ2qRslOAKgUBOrfHAeo6Umruy55aZfREfE1iiEErsimNk8VZhMEHOsoAPETdPh7CahBRhGdqYLPWo0ItZXv8vC57MdGqFipufP0g/s720/images%20(8).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bibvth50AfUlTJNsHpcdFEOKr71ov3q3lfi4rC7_x7rOXe_2izfuavSksDdwZY8gVIytYuZPpiicpuuKB6cT4yZ2qRslOAKgUBOrfHAeo6Umruy55aZfREfE1iiEErsimNk8VZhMEHOsoAPETdPh7CahBRhGdqYLPWo0ItZXv8vC57MdGqFipufP0g/s320/images%20(8).jpeg" width="208" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rose-Thistle-Novel-Laura-Frantz-ebook/dp/B0B6PXDPWM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1K4U6E11J5W96&keywords=the+rose+and+the+thistle+laura+frantz&qid=1674179052&sprefix=The+Rose+and+the+%2Caps%2C302&sr=8-1">The Rose and the Thistle</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Laura Frantz</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><span id="freeText16180762419177518978" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.<br /><br />No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.<br /><br />Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love Laura Frantz’s books. Her heartfelt romances set in the 18</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> century are always a treat coupled with her engaging prose. I have to admit, though, this was a somewhat slow read for me. The plot was interesting. Themes of war and religious persecution add tension to the novel. And the setting…perfection. I loved the sweeping descriptions of the Scotland moors. I liked the characters, Blythe and Everard in particular. I just wish the pace would have been a little bit swifter to keep the pages turning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-13144119915415898192022-12-20T14:59:00.001-06:002022-12-20T14:59:12.470-06:00Top Ten Books of 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDimMUOMigQ-BH955Zwa_keRoP2aRGQruYa2EZyqIsOXgLjb3EvBBBfK3Fc1yb3L0bbazmh5svXmYCnQyZnAERfS4RscHBbCpuBt7ZwvcfTuh8_l-jeK-e4wvxCY29FNFMDPEa7NAV36nHapBtZs6TV3fEn9JrFwiAGEJOZfFV728Y9aV65VPsfuXTcw/s2348/Top%20Ten%20Books%20of%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2348" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDimMUOMigQ-BH955Zwa_keRoP2aRGQruYa2EZyqIsOXgLjb3EvBBBfK3Fc1yb3L0bbazmh5svXmYCnQyZnAERfS4RscHBbCpuBt7ZwvcfTuh8_l-jeK-e4wvxCY29FNFMDPEa7NAV36nHapBtZs6TV3fEn9JrFwiAGEJOZfFV728Y9aV65VPsfuXTcw/s320/Top%20Ten%20Books%20of%202022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">2022 has been a banner year for books. So many great reads have released this year, making it hard to narrow the list down to ten. Yet I have endeavored to do just that. So here we have it; ten books I adored in 2022!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfeIFMiwz1tS8CNiVPvQRggs3NhDttxxFf4_S4ukCWcCe31AbpXBCeOFJVMcB2KL9VjdYAcAIidvVQIQMoS5-rtDRSqrkrqi1HPto7M2K2uQGt7HQ0C7K8Pdxz6_b2wvgw8YYyN1p9YzVtWN8ri6aV6POzfA1QryTZTvB6IK0h3QpiB0w3GGqmgopLg/s608/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfeIFMiwz1tS8CNiVPvQRggs3NhDttxxFf4_S4ukCWcCe31AbpXBCeOFJVMcB2KL9VjdYAcAIidvVQIQMoS5-rtDRSqrkrqi1HPto7M2K2uQGt7HQ0C7K8Pdxz6_b2wvgw8YYyN1p9YzVtWN8ri6aV6POzfA1QryTZTvB6IK0h3QpiB0w3GGqmgopLg/s320/images.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Blackfriars-Lane-Michelle-Griep-ebook/dp/B0B19FHWK5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=35ETB43ZOGU6D&keywords=the+Bride+of+Blackfriar%27s+lane&qid=1671561866&sprefix=the+bride+of+black+friar%27s+lane%2Caps%2C1264&sr=8-1">The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Michelle Griep</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle Griep’s books are always a delight, and I love her Kit and Jackson books. Griep’s immense talent at bringing the world of Victorian England to life combine with high adventure to create something truly magical. Reading about Kit and Jackson’s zany trip to the altar was a total blast.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJx8TIZMNhCfFd_-zLrJNRzRPPaGp3dP5xmxwdOD0M1zFad6yByaIkNYvYdT1apQCpul6HlHsq_QeOMcZ7vPpYr1_XE4stOoHhaB_FtqLVQftNUcNGJu8iZcZWMdF9SYkrMouE123PflEwdRCtfqh8Jv3wGx4PUuDK4NBwXGVY3KYeLZmEbRv1aKY3Q/s2550/911ziXrnTDL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJx8TIZMNhCfFd_-zLrJNRzRPPaGp3dP5xmxwdOD0M1zFad6yByaIkNYvYdT1apQCpul6HlHsq_QeOMcZ7vPpYr1_XE4stOoHhaB_FtqLVQftNUcNGJu8iZcZWMdF9SYkrMouE123PflEwdRCtfqh8Jv3wGx4PUuDK4NBwXGVY3KYeLZmEbRv1aKY3Q/s320/911ziXrnTDL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Adrift-Novel-Laura-Frantz-ebook/dp/B09B2MFJD5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=a+heart+adrift&qid=1671561926&sr=8-1">A Heart Adrift</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Laura Frantz</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Colonial Era is painted beautifully in this lovely book by beloved author Laura Frantz. This tender love story is achingly told and just as sweet as the chocolates the heroine is known for.</span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtTNF8aO4Ga8XKcwfT9I11nQod2aXDMx1U2TCdVFz_GrWbcbvoafyMiwNXr_IHENAYsws7m9mHbrv7YtM9Fl_3y62MGl20UQdBuV6Di7oT6zHwMBceM1YRCFJ4eRzDh0z2lExFRYFciR2g45gaE6VsbgA-5-facQWGbb90DqkmbOYMXwdsuNOtGtA9g/s2550/81zaDaqnpGL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtTNF8aO4Ga8XKcwfT9I11nQod2aXDMx1U2TCdVFz_GrWbcbvoafyMiwNXr_IHENAYsws7m9mHbrv7YtM9Fl_3y62MGl20UQdBuV6Di7oT6zHwMBceM1YRCFJ4eRzDh0z2lExFRYFciR2g45gaE6VsbgA-5-facQWGbb90DqkmbOYMXwdsuNOtGtA9g/s320/81zaDaqnpGL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Fills-Us-Novel-ebook/dp/B09LWHKBMW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=All+that+fills+us&qid=1671562012&sr=8-1">All That Fills Us</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Autumn Lytle</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Autumn Lytle’s debut is a raw, beautifully written story of a woman’s journey to overcome anorexia as she hikes across America. It was such an engrossing read that truly resonated with me. I can’t wait to see what Autumn Lytle writes next!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfxXVsZAVXhUBbc8r0e7beTGGqlTD91o3t7ab9-JH_PJ5lsmPtrHeprkWP5vhdYg9Y6qDZKWKhytehblaZYOmuM65FqtFo5V9yZjanPWATUfsvjk57kzrio2iod-Uy8rRICphXyLZ9ijF6aMX1inMmNfN_oFI5J4vziHVRATqCQVjXyRYDPw7f1eMqw/s1824/the-key-to-deceit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfxXVsZAVXhUBbc8r0e7beTGGqlTD91o3t7ab9-JH_PJ5lsmPtrHeprkWP5vhdYg9Y6qDZKWKhytehblaZYOmuM65FqtFo5V9yZjanPWATUfsvjk57kzrio2iod-Uy8rRICphXyLZ9ijF6aMX1inMmNfN_oFI5J4vziHVRATqCQVjXyRYDPw7f1eMqw/s320/the-key-to-deceit.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Key-Deceit-Electra-McDonnell-Book-ebook/dp/B09CNFKJ48/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=39UF8VFWGLLAO&keywords=the+key+to+deceit+ashley+weaver&qid=1671562253&sprefix=the+key+to+dec%2Caps%2C1325&sr=8-1">The Key to Deceit</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Ashley Weaver</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ashley Weaver is the master at vintage mystery. I adore her Electra McDonnell mysteries set in WWII London. Ellie is such a fun and spunky heroine. This latest installment was completely satisfying with a total surprise ending. I can’t wait for more!</span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_E1D4xtJyv8S_TePl4Jpy_43AlbH5asTHG41OHlXp8y4243hIioZgViKF-qp0NeVf-MV_5AG6cOjAhwYEJIuTah8B9gUrjrhkfT0CsR231S90wWVJxRGX7JP6xg-X7WXTo-pnvUASHEiJgwiEGU_ikKAEcZ7LhRZUeMsEAy_Z1WblEHYQLJcRoCLJQ/s500/51epLvnETEL._AC_SY780_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_E1D4xtJyv8S_TePl4Jpy_43AlbH5asTHG41OHlXp8y4243hIioZgViKF-qp0NeVf-MV_5AG6cOjAhwYEJIuTah8B9gUrjrhkfT0CsR231S90wWVJxRGX7JP6xg-X7WXTo-pnvUASHEiJgwiEGU_ikKAEcZ7LhRZUeMsEAy_Z1WblEHYQLJcRoCLJQ/s320/51epLvnETEL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Line-Love-along-Wires-ebook/dp/B09V71FW8H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3AS9TAB8ZBO8K&keywords=holding+the+line+jennifer+delamere&qid=1671568988&sprefix=%2Caps%2C2283&sr=8-1">Holding the Line</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Jennifer Delamere</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A heartwarming and cozy romance, I enjoyed every moment of this Victorian novel. Rose and John were my favorite types of characters–smart, thoughtful, and completely bookish, and I loved reading as their story unfolded.</span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-QG7IhQ2W4HDTWK-opdUqhQSoyoWT5s8zDodjRVoaU-6_97D70UdGqI30cyzuM6XjMMkZInCWPVwT1AsdY1uKewW7EvmhTHjqSV3kKzGT0ZgtSWf3Hfoyf3kvbXX2t01DIF9UBIpBadSDDPcZ_rnu49Gr-O6kPYTZ7gfNWJEBsFFSgp3gr89Dr48Xg/s500/41j7RpH1AFL._AC_SY780_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-QG7IhQ2W4HDTWK-opdUqhQSoyoWT5s8zDodjRVoaU-6_97D70UdGqI30cyzuM6XjMMkZInCWPVwT1AsdY1uKewW7EvmhTHjqSV3kKzGT0ZgtSWf3Hfoyf3kvbXX2t01DIF9UBIpBadSDDPcZ_rnu49Gr-O6kPYTZ7gfNWJEBsFFSgp3gr89Dr48Xg/s320/41j7RpH1AFL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Melody-Joanna-Davidson-Politano-ebook/dp/B09V6PKVN5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1NXI3UYTSAWPB&keywords=the+lost+melody+joanna+davidson+politano&qid=1671562431&sprefix=the+Lost+mel%2Caps%2C335&sr=8-1">The Lost Melody</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Joanna Davidson Politano</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joanna Davidson Politano has swiftly become a favorite author of mine and I am always eager to get my hands on her books. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lost Melody</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has been my favorite book by her so far. The deliciously atmospheric Victorian tale with its Gothic flair hooked me from the beginning. The sensitive issue of life in 19</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Century asylums is handled with respect and leaves the reader with a sense of hope.</span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsudfJiWh8gIS0cmKpWHbGFxrkuE45ChkVigDf7Teeoqjbhha0W248wpv8dHdabUiYCb6AGSWHw0fBKyQ9jvSrqbBrhGdmIpaph6jVkefZDCOc1qOYHwS-fhhCsR5PPwMvRSDzKq88eFfZnDRS34ei2y25qbsr9hq1HuFb0AtJl4sX0koq7923W49R1g/s2552/818AXRCVqtL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="1653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsudfJiWh8gIS0cmKpWHbGFxrkuE45ChkVigDf7Teeoqjbhha0W248wpv8dHdabUiYCb6AGSWHw0fBKyQ9jvSrqbBrhGdmIpaph6jVkefZDCOc1qOYHwS-fhhCsR5PPwMvRSDzKq88eFfZnDRS34ei2y25qbsr9hq1HuFb0AtJl4sX0koq7923W49R1g/s320/818AXRCVqtL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Where-Last-Blooms-Heirloom-Secrets-ebook/dp/B09B2NQ47S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2FA1OA8337OT0&keywords=Where+the+last+rose+blooms&qid=1671569126&sprefix=wher%2Caps%2C5523&sr=8-1">Where the Last Rose Blooms</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Ashley Clark</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ashley Clark’s Heirloom Secrets series has been so marvelous. There is a sentimentality to these books that I simply love. I have loved every book in the series, and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where the Last Rose Blooms</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was a stunning conclusion to the series. The writing is lyrical and the plot is spot on.</span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjbQ_c85PkTC4iHR8wWWOWm2boiEeWFjadRarF87ZE2oHETKTKLsAlao9QELTU3thP5tE4hSKIfDjElq7i3NDg2qsyZW1-ETSn491eY5MkerFXHnZtIs6QKho5sUdkGgf5gFioMwYor94FoEMaNSVPdw5jDcQ_J-jsHBOV_0T_tuE6-5AwIIR5SL8sw/s2551/81qPmP18mYL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="1649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjbQ_c85PkTC4iHR8wWWOWm2boiEeWFjadRarF87ZE2oHETKTKLsAlao9QELTU3thP5tE4hSKIfDjElq7i3NDg2qsyZW1-ETSn491eY5MkerFXHnZtIs6QKho5sUdkGgf5gFioMwYor94FoEMaNSVPdw5jDcQ_J-jsHBOV_0T_tuE6-5AwIIR5SL8sw/s320/81qPmP18mYL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Day-Comes-Timeless-Book-ebook/dp/B09JXQQ9MF/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3D0G9IPAUCPG4&keywords=when+the+day+comes+gabrielle+meyer&qid=1671569290&sprefix=when+the+day%2Caps%2C352&sr=8-1">When the Day Comes</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Gabrielle Meyer</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This book was one of those stories that was so hard for me to put down. I loved Libby and reading about her life as a time-traveler between the Colonial era and the Gilded Age was completely engrossing. I was kept guessing throughout the entire book, and this story has lingered with me long after I turned the last page.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UMHWBmw-IA7Qs9ovZvHv3lG2UtecKrTlrrSWKdZ2Vce6vyn5-uCgkIwVOEN_WCzCj1Xyg02iQmnuszDYhz-GH7a80zZxvDfChiXcNyJ1bgJopC_qaB8M11NKgXswbS-rgGR-r9b4SQzk1yiz28I4syROC6CWzaA0zro98ljwc7fsUMjqBDkqx9Tofw/s500/412MkHIGh-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UMHWBmw-IA7Qs9ovZvHv3lG2UtecKrTlrrSWKdZ2Vce6vyn5-uCgkIwVOEN_WCzCj1Xyg02iQmnuszDYhz-GH7a80zZxvDfChiXcNyJ1bgJopC_qaB8M11NKgXswbS-rgGR-r9b4SQzk1yiz28I4syROC6CWzaA0zro98ljwc7fsUMjqBDkqx9Tofw/s320/412MkHIGh-L.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadowed-Loyalty-Roseanna-M-White-ebook/dp/B09TWNFTRW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=shadowed+loyalty+Roseanna+M+White&qid=1671569414&sr=8-1">Shadowed Loyalty</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Roseanna M. White</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have spent any time at all around me or my blog, then you probably already know how much I love the 1920s; it’s my favorite era. You also probably know what a fan I am of Roseanna M. White. So when I learned she was releasing a story set in the Roaring Twenties, I was all kinds of excited. And </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shadowed Loyalty</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> did not disappoint. Roseanna’s talent with the written word and her keen eye for historical detail make this a book I absolutely loved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_98T46e7PYfFyikI6lBoVxH0AGUmIm2dLmA8P8Dr3YJBAdKLcZBT_WQMBRyruVlK1UbiUIQ2WY2fvTn0rDN1yPVatwahWkcN8r-X1-WEfzoqZrMEO_X8UrQZkcbn0RM0k62NOX_nnqarHGwtuNe23MlUl0meH1jDxKrMgyvWcZmfqk6oPF_iYAI81A/s1007/Screenshot_20221118-104759-714.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_98T46e7PYfFyikI6lBoVxH0AGUmIm2dLmA8P8Dr3YJBAdKLcZBT_WQMBRyruVlK1UbiUIQ2WY2fvTn0rDN1yPVatwahWkcN8r-X1-WEfzoqZrMEO_X8UrQZkcbn0RM0k62NOX_nnqarHGwtuNe23MlUl0meH1jDxKrMgyvWcZmfqk6oPF_iYAI81A/s320/Screenshot_20221118-104759-714.png" width="215" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Book-Club-Lynn-Green-ebook/dp/B09V6KBL2Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=QW1O5COTQT2D&keywords=the+blackout+book+club+amy+lynn+green&qid=1671569612&sprefix=the+blackou%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-1">The Blackout Book Club</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Amy Lynn Green</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was nothing about this book that I did not love. The setting, the plot, it was all wonderful, yet the characters are what made it for me. Each woman is so different, yet they form friendships over a shared love of books, as well as a common goal in supporting their loved ones and their community in a time of war.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you read any of the books on this list? What did you think? What were some of your favorite books this year? I’d love to hear about them! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">–Miranda Atchley</span></p><br />Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-12983957393380531322022-12-12T11:48:00.000-06:002022-12-12T11:48:01.176-06:00Review: Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-51108052-7fff-b525-ebed-fcfb4830d4ea" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhkpzGrLbEMFqa4e4Vnp3I1io1RXkBnPZzqBYEbfOwg3kHqMeSt_AYkq3rH0aOYcPVuNe54F6Qu9d7jxH8FyPkZIwT7c6ImuIaHCquVmO0rIwnqAuXm9c-Sq25jlSb1Ms7rHm5p6gOAiKLJmGlCT7Fs5Ik7FQeR_79Yse_hunUZddtQw7eV4M-fH4GQ/s500/51+EUoZolFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhkpzGrLbEMFqa4e4Vnp3I1io1RXkBnPZzqBYEbfOwg3kHqMeSt_AYkq3rH0aOYcPVuNe54F6Qu9d7jxH8FyPkZIwT7c6ImuIaHCquVmO0rIwnqAuXm9c-Sq25jlSb1Ms7rHm5p6gOAiKLJmGlCT7Fs5Ik7FQeR_79Yse_hunUZddtQw7eV4M-fH4GQ/s320/51+EUoZolFL.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-51108052-7fff-b525-ebed-fcfb4830d4ea" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-51108052-7fff-b525-ebed-fcfb4830d4ea" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Snow-Dericott-Tale-Book-ebook/dp/B0B14KYYYT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=W3SWAYF7ATRB&keywords=fortress+of+snow+melanie+dickerson&qid=1670866998&sprefix=fortress+of+Snow+%2Caps%2C2463&sr=8-1">Fortress of Snow</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Melanie Dickerson</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><p><br />When her father dies and her brother, Warin, abandons her, Mazy is forced to seek help from her beloved older brother Sir John, who is training knights at the great estate of Strachleigh. While there, she becomes friends with the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Circumstances then force them apart: Berenger goes to Prague, while Mazy and her brother move to London. There, Mazy puts her knife-throwing skills to excellent use as she defends herself, and she learns to make breads to sell in the market to earn money. Her business is expanding when Berenger returns to London and they are reunited.</p><p>Romance is just beginning to bloom when the king offers Berenger a new mission that also serves as a chance for a title: Berenger is to marry the recently widowed Lady Bristow and take over her estate. To Mazy’s dismay, Berenger agrees to go to Bristow Castle to visit her and make his decision.</p><p>But Bristow Castle is hiding secrets, and the only person who might be able to save the knight in distress is the damsel Mazy herself. <br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The queen of medieval fiction returns with an adventurous romance.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love Melanie Dickerson’s medieval retellings of classic fairytales. She has an engaging style of writing, and her characters endear themselves to you as you read. Her latest offering, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortress of Snow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is no exception.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mazy is a complex heroine. On the outside, she is a beauty that catches the eye of everyone she meets, and her shy and uncertain demeanor lead most to believe she needs to be protected. Yet her skill with a knife and at archery make her a force to be reckoned with. It was refreshing to see a woman of that era claim such independence as she flees her uncaring brothers in the wake of her father’s death. Berenger is an upstanding hero who rises to his title of knight. He’s kind and caring, protective of Mazy, while also giving her the room to be independent. These two winsome characters combined with an enchanting medieval setting and lots of rollicking action culminate in a delightful novel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of historical fiction with doses of romance and adventure in equal measure will most certainly want to read </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortress of Snow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-55949315239918940052022-12-06T10:16:00.001-06:002022-12-06T10:16:17.799-06:00Review: Holding the Line by Jennifer Delamere<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSDN1pLNyWdoVd7C5c7IciVgX0qy809LNLK-WMbkYQDx_X2dC_JMF9MZ2uREM9r-be1APJYeHxa9kVCfIvOV1rRQrGkHKh6aErhqyN6zADcdgcqRPEKncJbIGIStMaTeyScQv4XH0oCOzPOx-yjbdfu_htS0l4nHax_4Cnw3WfXt1UYrK2ZebNcvlYg/s500/51epLvnETEL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSDN1pLNyWdoVd7C5c7IciVgX0qy809LNLK-WMbkYQDx_X2dC_JMF9MZ2uREM9r-be1APJYeHxa9kVCfIvOV1rRQrGkHKh6aErhqyN6zADcdgcqRPEKncJbIGIStMaTeyScQv4XH0oCOzPOx-yjbdfu_htS0l4nHax_4Cnw3WfXt1UYrK2ZebNcvlYg/s320/51epLvnETEL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Line-Love-along-Wires-ebook/dp/B09V71FW8H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=35KEDBM17ZSRV&keywords=holding+the+line+jennifer+delamere&qid=1670343185&sprefix=holding+the+Line+Jennifer+%2Caps%2C3610&sr=8-1">Holding the Line</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Jennifer Delamere</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />A widow at just 30 years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light.<div><br /></div><div>As the overseer of his two widowed sisters' financial and domestic affairs, John Milburn carries heavy responsibilities for a single man. But he's faced with his biggest challenge when his headstrong niece falls prey to the attentions of a powerful man who could ruin both her and her family.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Rose and John join forces to protect his niece, they put everything they hold dear--including their growing attraction--in jeopardy. <br /><div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Warm and Cozy Victorian Romance</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I loved this book! The setting, the characters, the plot, it was all spot on and right up my alley. I’ve always been drawn to stories about telegraph operators, and I loved how Rose’s career was incorporated in the book. Set against the changing landscape of the late 19</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> century, this novel perfectly portrays the elegance of the Victorian era, while also touching on the progression of technology and social norms.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rose was a unique and endearing heroine. It isn’t often that we see widows as the lead in romance novels, and I found this aspect of the book refreshing. She’s bookish, introverted, and completely content with her own company, making her a heroine that I could definitely relate to. I appreciated the way that she was portrayed as a kind and thoughtful woman, while also being opinionated and not afraid to speak her mind. John was a delightful hero. Kind and caring, he has a love for books to match Rose’s, and he’s one of the most thoughtful literary heroes in recent memory. The two of them together have to be one of my favorite literary couples. It was endearing to read about these two gun-shy introverts falling in love as they attempt to keep John’s niece from getting into trouble.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were little details incorporated throughout the book about the Victorian era that I appreciated. It’s always fun to learn things about history while reading novels, and these details brought that era to life for me as I read (like the mourning rings for widows–who knew?). Add meddling family members, soirees and balls, and treks to teashops and through parks, and you have a truly delightful read.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holding the Line</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a charming novel that lovers of historical romance will not want to miss. Highly recommend!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book.</span></p></div></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-41494389420707256652022-11-20T12:41:00.005-06:002022-11-20T12:41:54.314-06:00Review: The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1dd35d7a-7fff-04bd-ff9e-53c347d59f96" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1dd35d7a-7fff-04bd-ff9e-53c347d59f96" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrwGUbNfwILg883xB4bTR5rMffBzAipLjt2PjXOS6TBLFGEoaaCPrW8MiecsZTS8Jgk6uVQ2OMEgqOvPL_1i3Sa9esnfDNosTJx2WlH7eIS3sEMMAjejM8wN4kxGCx_cWBW1GctDznRtFxsV4z4e4jwu-HmiqY2gknulZq862Ra3ovlecbd7cJwPhvA/s1007/Screenshot_20221118-104759-714.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrwGUbNfwILg883xB4bTR5rMffBzAipLjt2PjXOS6TBLFGEoaaCPrW8MiecsZTS8Jgk6uVQ2OMEgqOvPL_1i3Sa9esnfDNosTJx2WlH7eIS3sEMMAjejM8wN4kxGCx_cWBW1GctDznRtFxsV4z4e4jwu-HmiqY2gknulZq862Ra3ovlecbd7cJwPhvA/s320/Screenshot_20221118-104759-714.png" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1dd35d7a-7fff-04bd-ff9e-53c347d59f96" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Book-Club-Lynn-Green/dp/0764239562/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2GQF2HLABEW5A&keywords=the+blackout+book+club+amy+lynn+green&qid=1668969310&sprefix=the+blackout%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1">The Blackout Book Club</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">by Amy Lynn Green</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>About the Book</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different--a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.</span><br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This book was a pure delight from beginning to end. I love a good WWII novel, and am always drawn to stories about book clubs. The book brings that era to life, and is filled with all kinds of wonderful bookish goodness, but it is the characters that make it such a spectacular novel. </span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s Avis, the uncertain and perfectionist librarian who does not like to read, but is determined to keep the library afloat because it means so much to her brother who is fighting overseas. Then we have Louise, the stern and wealthy spinster who is hiding secrets and is determined to see the library go because of what it has taken from her. And then there’s Ginny, a bold, albeit rough around the edges, twenty-something factory worker with a penchant for romance novels, who has made promises to a life-long friend in the service, yet can’t help but feel a spark for new-to-town Freddy. And of course, sweet Martina, an Italian immigrant who loves books deeply and is doing her best to get by while working at the local factory, while also shielding her family from her dodgy husband. The women are so different, but they learn so much from one another, about themselves and the world, as they meet in the library and bond over books. The characters are living and breathing, leaping right off the page, ready to tell you exactly what they liked–or did not like–about the book club’s latest read.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The quaint small town Maine setting is a lovely backdrop for this war time novel. It’s a cozy place, yet not exempt from the threat of war. Add in the unraveling of secrets from the character’s pasts, spot on writing, and the stories of a community coming together to do their bit for the war effort, and you have a novel that is not only a most delightful read, but a book that has something for everyone, as well.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Blackout Book Club</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a marvelous read. Not only is it a book I would recommend to anyone, it’s truly one of the best books I’ve read this year, and a new addition to my shelf of favorites.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-69486452329885943902022-11-17T10:02:00.003-06:002022-11-17T10:02:18.647-06:00Review: Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zPlaw2o67dSrWSAtQ_M5fkRw7kkZMTUatDqaxphmLKUDNmRvApcVlj3LryuToKYHMrMesqAOHxt9RM2MzZYy2ilBYVTzoMuRgjXUsPOWNDoHMODVnCi2wl2Cp2moQLKfIjMwA3-KZBLIAsYpXIylXMGU2cb0pexCm2tG-sE9dzinYcsU4QuR3K2GWQ/s360/Jacket.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zPlaw2o67dSrWSAtQ_M5fkRw7kkZMTUatDqaxphmLKUDNmRvApcVlj3LryuToKYHMrMesqAOHxt9RM2MzZYy2ilBYVTzoMuRgjXUsPOWNDoHMODVnCi2wl2Cp2moQLKfIjMwA3-KZBLIAsYpXIylXMGU2cb0pexCm2tG-sE9dzinYcsU4QuR3K2GWQ/s320/Jacket.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Canter-Killer-Horse-Rescue-Mystery/dp/1639101802/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=XWRH8JDMF4XQ&keywords=canter+with+a+Killer+amber+camp&qid=1668700651&sprefix=c%2Caps%2C3293&sr=8-1">Canter with a Killer</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Amber Camp</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Mollie Cox Bryan, Amber Camp’s debut novel will have you galloping through the pages, as a horse rescue owner races to find a killer and clear her name.<div><br /></div><div>Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue. It’s everything she’s been missing, with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes suspect number one. Since Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.</div><div> </div><div>Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. Sparks fly, and soon she’s got a new boyfriend. But there’s a case to be solved, and she redoubles her efforts to learn the truth.</div><div> </div><div>The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm. None of the evidence is holding up though, and Mallory learns that she'll need to take the reins on this investigation if she's going to clear her own name. <br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love a good cozy mystery, and if animals play a large role in the book, then so much the better. I was further drawn to this book by the fact that it takes place my home state of Arkansas, which isn’t featured in fiction very often. What I found was fun, fast paced cozy mystery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mallory is an intrepid heroine who will charm readers. She’s a strong and capable woman with a big and caring heart, for people and four-legged friends alike. When she’s accused of murder, her inquisitive nature kicks into high gear. Her pursual of clues that she hopes will lead to answers are entertaining, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of cozy mysteries will not only love </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canter with a Killer</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but will be hoping for many more adventures with Mallory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-62859010249674566662022-11-07T07:55:00.001-06:002022-11-07T07:55:16.450-06:00Review: The Brilliance of Stars by J’nell Ciesielski <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpaw54WYFbWkgiC0BrBDovyaFAd5uiQGUH-4AXfcngS5IxPpE7UVDvkutkU1AIU3rfzG6feEcdXNqk-54lIfyY5dkMmwTJEmk5La0I70gfjDEpM4yftw0KThf4i7Hxh1Sj77dnTIICUdS75YMspbKiz6sFU8MII-fYq6ADqSUvyspy2-s1DbRq6O2Sw/s500/51FFiCBHOAL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpaw54WYFbWkgiC0BrBDovyaFAd5uiQGUH-4AXfcngS5IxPpE7UVDvkutkU1AIU3rfzG6feEcdXNqk-54lIfyY5dkMmwTJEmk5La0I70gfjDEpM4yftw0KThf4i7Hxh1Sj77dnTIICUdS75YMspbKiz6sFU8MII-fYq6ADqSUvyspy2-s1DbRq6O2Sw/s320/51FFiCBHOAL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brilliance-Stars-Jnell-Ciesielski/dp/0785248455/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1EBLW5EWG9C1U&keywords=the+brilliance+of+stars+ciesielski&qid=1667828894&sprefix=The+Brilliance+of+Stars+%2Caps%2C457&sr=8-1">The Brilliance of Stars</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by J’nell Ciesielski</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amid the chaos of the Great War, two master assassins risk it all for love.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washington DC, 1914.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. But when she finds herself whisked into a secret society that seeks to maintain the balance of good and evil in the world, she can’t believe there’s more to life than just surviving. In the hollowed and historied halls of Talon, she learns European languages and ballroom dancing, as well as demolition and sharpshooting–in short, everything a spy and assassin will need to survive in the field.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first day Jack Vale meets Ivy, he knows she is not to be underestimated. The second day, he knows his heart will belong to no one else. Between sparring bouts and constellation gazing, Jack takes Ivy under his wing, and the two form a bond that soon turns to love.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the rest of the world tumbles into war, the two embark on an official mission to take down a madman who has left a trail of blood and murder across Russia. Little do they know the unfathomable peril waiting in the wings of a chaotic Europe.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Jack and Ivy are thrust into encounters each more terrifying than the last, Ivy must determine how far she will go to save the man she loves. Equal parts historical fiction and adventure novel, Ciesielski’s epic tale of espionage and romance will leave readers both enchanted and thrilled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">J’nell Ciesielski is known for her war-time novels filled with adventure and romance. Her latest novel offers both in spades.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have mixed feelings about this one. Ciesielski is a very talented writer and that is on display in this book. Her heroines are always brave and smart, and her heroes are always swoony and gallant. That is the case with this novel, and I love that part. And anytime you read a book by J’nell Ciesielski, you can see what painstaking research has gone into her writing. I appreciate all of these things.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What wasn’t my favorite was the amount of violence in the book. Yes, it is a war novel and violence is to be expected. But it felt like the majority of the book was Ivy and Jack facing off against spies and assassins, resulting in much bloodshed. Again, I realize this is to be expected in a war-time, spy thriller novel, I just wish there had been a bit more to break up all the fighting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A positive for me was the incorporation of folklore and legends as Ivy and Jack trek across WWI Europe in search of an elusive entity. From Russia’s fabled Ice Queen, to Transylvania’s Dracula, the inclusion of these classic fables was a lovely touch to the story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Brilliance of Stars</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a thrilling novel with a sweeping romance. If you love war fiction with plenty of spies and mayhem, then this might be the book for you.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-12716408508381069492022-11-03T11:54:00.001-05:002022-11-03T11:54:23.289-05:00Review: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15_frdI6PxZ9NLYpkaniG5D8ZFM-W2q1Eejdggb7QpW5U3eufcFJiqvpBC98T6tJDaeWfprcJ43t6DY72_EW7tPEOuIhNHvx-Mh0DA9ZtICzHVr_cphFCGZTDT1TVJRVDPwB1IjltZOjjLEhX-MHTDb1Gew3aeMUD2yigvm0bUZZ54c_0QXu1OtbagA/s500/41-gFGFO2vL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15_frdI6PxZ9NLYpkaniG5D8ZFM-W2q1Eejdggb7QpW5U3eufcFJiqvpBC98T6tJDaeWfprcJ43t6DY72_EW7tPEOuIhNHvx-Mh0DA9ZtICzHVr_cphFCGZTDT1TVJRVDPwB1IjltZOjjLEhX-MHTDb1Gew3aeMUD2yigvm0bUZZ54c_0QXu1OtbagA/s320/41-gFGFO2vL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-His-Silence-Hannah-Linder/dp/1636094368/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=PW6NUR3LPXTX&keywords=beneath+his+silence+hannah+linder&qid=1667494362&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjYxIiwicXNhIjoiMC41MyIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Beneath+His+Silence+%2Caps%2C531&sr=8-1">Beneath His Silence</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Hannah Linder</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?</span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regency Romantic Suspense with a Gothic Flair</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as I heard about Hannah Linder’s debut, I knew I wanted to read it. I love the Regency era and adore a good Gothic tale. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beneath His Silence</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> did not disappoint. From an old manor house draped in mystique and brimming with secrets, to a mystery begging to be solved, to a sweet romance, this book has everything Regency readers crave, and is certain to delight fans of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jane Eyre</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ella and Henry make for wonderful protagonists. Both carry hurting hearts and are misguided by deceit. The story unfolds each of their journeys of self-discovery as they learn the truth about those they have loved, as well as themselves. Though antagonism wedges between them in the beginning, a sweet romance soon unfolds. This is combined with an overt faith message that will please many avid fans of Christian fiction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beneath His Silence</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a solid debut that Christian historical fiction fans are sure to adore.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-14138342964969820732022-11-01T15:52:00.003-05:002022-11-01T15:52:34.651-05:00Review: Devotions for Cat Lovers<p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f1fb8391-7fff-3bdf-4881-ef40ebd263c9" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVlIWlG5pE9i1Bw7hZB9bjOa2YkJtErr7kPR20BmaptnolzKFw5947iKmhQCbIoyv4K_wla9zqS1sF0sXnjpsNJ4OFqIIHwwwSB9QAu2BOZEKXCYSQBkZObtEhTcukXQTqYZ1JPQGQHrvaBdn74EQzLzSAWuirqKh0N0YIhv-Ub4cRUSmqqKvl-jXOg/s500/9781636094137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVlIWlG5pE9i1Bw7hZB9bjOa2YkJtErr7kPR20BmaptnolzKFw5947iKmhQCbIoyv4K_wla9zqS1sF0sXnjpsNJ4OFqIIHwwwSB9QAu2BOZEKXCYSQBkZObtEhTcukXQTqYZ1JPQGQHrvaBdn74EQzLzSAWuirqKh0N0YIhv-Ub4cRUSmqqKvl-jXOg/s320/9781636094137.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f1fb8391-7fff-3bdf-4881-ef40ebd263c9" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f1fb8391-7fff-3bdf-4881-ef40ebd263c9" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Devotions-Lovers-Compiled-Barbour-Staff/dp/1636094139/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3P6X1A3UNW5Y7&keywords=devotions+for+cat+lovers&qid=1667335871&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjcwIiwicXNhIjoiMi40MCIsInFzcCI6IjEuODcifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=devotions+for+Cat+%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-3">Devotions for Cat Lovers</a></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f1fb8391-7fff-3bdf-4881-ef40ebd263c9" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>About the Book</i></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our favorite felines have a lot to teach you about life, love, and everything in between.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>If you’re a dedicated cat lover, you’ll treasure curling up with the Devotions for Cat Lovers—featuring dozens of inspiring devotional readings touching on themes like:</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>persistence</p><p>joy</p><p>contentment</p><p>godly choices</p><p>and more!</p><p> This devotional collection is a true reminder that there’s more to life than lounging in the sunniest spot of the house or selecting the best windowsill for bird-watching.<br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>My Thoughts</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Filled with heartwarming and inspirational stories, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devotions for Cat Lovers</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the perfect read for those who love animals. From stray kittens to grown cats who have a penchant for trouble, there are numerous stories matched with verses from Scripture used to teach a lesson on life and the Lord. This book would make a wonderful gift for any cat lover.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-63888155732846767892022-11-01T15:46:00.003-05:002022-11-01T15:46:28.955-05:00Review: Devotions for Dog Lovers <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuMqO3QDwSDHVavhShqQ9t-bM1bWREhMqzZ8GMeAtLoQ6b-QFXxjQKRQElYwvbHCDGbB3sGqzeO9lBfj2j1iAN5dwCBkpUmnv-els6wo6tuP3FXlS3IW08O3qA9kYal7UpuBlPjGoZ-OOymIjLAmK7X8FMwxJKU7rDjtDACE_HE0nExuqWo-C5Q-n3w/s1280/9781636094144__65247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1015" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuMqO3QDwSDHVavhShqQ9t-bM1bWREhMqzZ8GMeAtLoQ6b-QFXxjQKRQElYwvbHCDGbB3sGqzeO9lBfj2j1iAN5dwCBkpUmnv-els6wo6tuP3FXlS3IW08O3qA9kYal7UpuBlPjGoZ-OOymIjLAmK7X8FMwxJKU7rDjtDACE_HE0nExuqWo-C5Q-n3w/s320/9781636094144__65247.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Devotions-Lovers-Compiled-Barbour-Staff/dp/1636094147/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2Y8UGHMCCTB4U&keywords=devotions+for+dog+lovers&qid=1667335493&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjA2IiwicXNhIjoiMi44NyIsInFzcCI6IjIuNzIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=devotions+for+dog%2Caps%2C249&sr=8-3">Devotions for Dog Lovers</a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />Our canine companions have a lot to teach you about life, love, and everything in between.<div><br /></div><div>If you’re a dedicated dog lover, you’ll treasure curling up with the Devotions for Dog Lovers—featuring dozens of inspiring devotional readings touching on topics like</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>courage</div><div>contentment</div><div>character</div><div>and more!</div><div>This fantastic book is a true reminder that there’s more to life than tail-wagging, ball-chasing, and begging for biscuits. <br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devotions for Dog Lovers</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a sweet and light collection of inspirational stories that are perfect for animal lovers. Whether it’s the story of a rescue dog, or a pampered pooch, each story is heartwarming with plenty of humorous moments, and matched with verses from Scripture to teach us things about ourselves and about the Lord. This book is just the thing for the dog lover in your life.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p><p><br /></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-89412520327487390732022-10-13T10:21:00.003-05:002022-10-13T10:21:47.128-05:00Review: On the Way to Christmas<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0s6UseznxBwjf38qi_xfTMZHlgB4hvNc_OejDZd9kAod5RKO8fhrSBPuzXz4URncA6o96RKsj6HjEM2IElTmPIg4dH2w9yMFzlmrtChKXQb5ESawChIS8dQUhY68qZvQV4VWz5hd-_yIyR46_i0XVafDSNR7wM9a3VyG4AwfbCCLckUGEinpRHAYNQ/s455/9780840701572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0s6UseznxBwjf38qi_xfTMZHlgB4hvNc_OejDZd9kAod5RKO8fhrSBPuzXz4URncA6o96RKsj6HjEM2IElTmPIg4dH2w9yMFzlmrtChKXQb5ESawChIS8dQUhY68qZvQV4VWz5hd-_yIyR46_i0XVafDSNR7wM9a3VyG4AwfbCCLckUGEinpRHAYNQ/s320/9780840701572.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Way-Christmas-Three-Stories/dp/B0B3NGH69F/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=11O4V9CLL09PV&keywords=on+the+way+to+christmas+three+stories&qid=1665674020&sprefix=on+the+way+to+Christmas+%2Caps%2C3097&sr=8-1">On the Way to Christmas</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Shelia Roberts, Melissa Ferguson, and Amy Clipston</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, anything can happen.</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In this glittering and heartwarming collection, three of today’s bestselling sweet romance novelists offer up the gift of cheer for the winter holiday season.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A Christmas Do-Over</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> by Sheila Roberts</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Darby doesn’t want to go home for the holidays, but a career fail sends her slinking back to the small town she always wanted to escape. No one there is especially glad to see the former mean girl—especially not her sister, Erica, or childhood best friend, Gregory. Darby is working hard to be a better person, but has she eaten enough humble pie to make amends?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Dashing Through the Snow</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> by Melissa Ferguson</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">When Willow’s boyfriend of seven years dumps her on the eve of a romantic getaway, she decides to take the two-week train trip on The Christmas Express alone. Hurt as she feels, she can’t anticipate how the hilarious rebound ride with conductor Oliver, elf Ian, and aging world adventurer Clarence will heal her heart—and renew her sense of worth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A Perfectly Splendid Christmas</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> by Amy Clipston</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Kacey adores the metropolitan life, but when she gets away to help her sister during a family crisis and run her bakery, she falls in love with former classmate Drew. The problem: he’s a small-town man, and she’s a big-city woman. Is their love big enough to overcome such a major difference?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Curl up with your favorite holiday drink and sink into three worlds where dreams once thought long-gone are still within reach.</span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Fun and Cozy Holiday Collection</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a sucker for a good Christmas story, and when I first saw this book, I was immediately drawn to it. This collection of three Christmas contemporary romances did not disappoint.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Shelia Robert’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Christmas Do-Over</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, we’re treated to a tale of second chances. As the heroine Darby attempts to right the wrongs of her past as a “mean girl,” humorous moments as well as heartfelt realizations abound in this story of holiday-time redemption.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Melissa Ferguson’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dashing Through the Snow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a delightful story of picking up the pieces after heartbreak. I loved the setting of the Christmas-themed train ride. Willow’s verve for the holidays is endearing, along with her eclectic holiday outfits, and the community she finds through her journey is heartwarming.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy Clipston’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Perfectly Splendid Christmas</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a charming small-town Christmas romance with an adorable couple at its core. An enchantingly cozy setting and a sweet second-chance romance combine to create a cheery holiday story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is unique about this collection is that each story sets itself completely apart. Each writer has their own distinct style and each story is original, ensuring that there will be something for every reader, yet it is also a fair wager that every reader will enjoy all three novellas.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of Christmas romance, rejoice! The </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the Way to Christmas</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> collection will be your new holiday tradition.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-4520729076657814642022-10-13T10:13:00.001-05:002022-10-13T10:13:20.610-05:00Review: Under the Starry Skies by Tracie Peterson <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierCI1lJp2O3cwooCm4GgsTPl-EBxeoYuPHmaUNIBiFfU93dqWPdafbgRNMtMbVKS8PQSs5XeoO_LZ85FVyOWqfdvH-NEqsKemEpvJwTTn6K5Yrnf9HAhTdFEtX4OoOD7FG8VnBepMzh-3PFFlbIhC3RQFzhnBw6JqJAuUF4nDGGJMlPtiRugoTUMOow/s630/9780764237355_p0_v3_s1200x630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierCI1lJp2O3cwooCm4GgsTPl-EBxeoYuPHmaUNIBiFfU93dqWPdafbgRNMtMbVKS8PQSs5XeoO_LZ85FVyOWqfdvH-NEqsKemEpvJwTTn6K5Yrnf9HAhTdFEtX4OoOD7FG8VnBepMzh-3PFFlbIhC3RQFzhnBw6JqJAuUF4nDGGJMlPtiRugoTUMOow/s320/9780764237355_p0_v3_s1200x630.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Under-Starry-Skies-Love-Santa/dp/B0BBSMY4HZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1RQBX73T8HBNM&keywords=under+the+Starry+Skies+Tracie+Peterson&qid=1665673480&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjI4IiwicXNhIjoiMS4zMyIsInFzcCI6IjEuMzYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=un%2Caps%2C15435&sr=8-1">Under the Starry Skies</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Tracie Peterson</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />Sensible and independent, Cassandra Barton never anticipated being on her own at thirty-two. But after the death of her father and the marriage of her sister, she's found joy in her work as a seamstress. When a minor accident leaves her incapacitated, she decides to use her time to compile a book of stories about the men working on the Santa Fe Railroad. But worry begins to grow in San Marcial as Mexican revolutionaries set out to destroy the railroad--and put many lives in danger.<div><br /></div><div>With Europe at war and his longtime friend Cassie injured, railroad worker Brandon Dubarko is burdened by his troubles. And when a vengeful man reappears in Brandon's life intent on causing conflict, Brandon must face his past before he can move forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the danger intensifies, Cassie and Brandon must rely on their faith to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of a brighter future. <br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under the Starry Skies</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, one will find what readers have come to expect from a Tracie Peterson book. An authentic historical setting, a sweet romance, and a gentle faith message.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cassie is a sparkling heroine. Sweet and caring, her writing aspirations are endearing and her journey to publication will interest readers. Brandon is a solid hero. A little mysterious, readers will learn of his troubled past, and respect him all the more for it. Together, they make a charming couple.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Impending war and the events of historical Santa Fe create an intriguing backdrop for this story. Combined with the unfolding of events in the characters personal lives as they deal with circumstances from their pasts weave a tapestry that inspirational historical fiction fans will appreciate.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you love sweet romance with accurate depictions of true historical events, then </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under the Starry Skies</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> might be the book for you.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-13403601647809332812022-10-13T10:03:00.002-05:002022-10-13T10:03:42.541-05:00Review: A Seaside Wonder by Melissa Tagg <p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHgEuc3VTIF82GgETeFLI7xbDXcd5Y4pmhhd-A97OoujmUZk_CUH1J40v1JrVPi3R2_X1_zfq9miHXqhfBQ74-f6cP4R8qYscNAvkFBa2iAiuoUNAsHwAKDORuxblOL1_9Apo8YY_18rlOE3mJlIFu5_pfWqKiKqga_naMCQz_2eBpux7cvAKOW3rIA/s500/51-j7SwQhzL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHgEuc3VTIF82GgETeFLI7xbDXcd5Y4pmhhd-A97OoujmUZk_CUH1J40v1JrVPi3R2_X1_zfq9miHXqhfBQ74-f6cP4R8qYscNAvkFBa2iAiuoUNAsHwAKDORuxblOL1_9Apo8YY_18rlOE3mJlIFu5_pfWqKiKqga_naMCQz_2eBpux7cvAKOW3rIA/s320/51-j7SwQhzL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Wonder-Muir-Harbor-Book-ebook/dp/B0B9KJ57H8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2Q8AT9M7F5SH&keywords=a+seaside+wonder+melissa+tagg&qid=1665673260&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjQ3IiwicXNhIjoiMS44OCIsInFzcCI6IjEuNjIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=a+seas%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-1">A Seaside Wonder</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Melissa Tagg</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />In one evening, Indi's world falls apart. Enter the shy professor her family mistakes for her fiancé...make that ex-fiancé.<div><br /></div><div>Professor Philip West never wanted to return to Maine . . . or his grandfather’s miserable old house. But after his mother’s death, he’s now the guardian of a teenage half sister he barely knows—one who doesn’t want anything to do with him. He longs to help her heal, but he’s exhausted and numb, desperate for relief of his own. Maybe that’s why he’s so easily distracted when he happens upon the little shop with a name on its storefront window that sounds familiar, a hint of a mystery nudging him inside.</div><div><br /></div><div>More than a decade has passed since Indi Muir made the heartbreaking decision she’s never recovered from—though she’s certainly tried. She has a full life running her shop and creating the artsy pieces that fill its shelves. If she can just stay busy, she’ll keep her hurt and regret at bay. But when her ex-fiancé returns to Muir Harbor, he brings news that shatters her carefully built walls. Things only get worse when lurking danger comes calling at her childhood home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The one bright spot amid Indi’s turmoil is the shy stranger who wandered into her shop months ago and his moody but lovable sister. As she confronts her past and the mysterious threat facing her family, she’s intent on helping Philip win over his sister. He just might win over Indi, too, if they can overcome old secrets and wounds, outrun rising peril . . . and take a chance on love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Breathtaking romance, a captivating mystery, and an enchanting wintry seaside . . . return to Muir Harbor in bestselling author Melissa Tagg’s latest.<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An Emotional Contemporary Romance with a Thread of Suspense</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been drawn to Melissa Tagg’s books for their small-town settings and witty banter. Not to mention her quirky heroines and swoony heroes. We get that and more in her latest offering, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Seaside Wonder</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indi is an endearing heroine. Her personality leaps off the page, with her artistic ways and her love of snow. Yet it is her heartache that truly resonates with the reader, as well as the hope she finds in the midst of her pain. A consistent theme throughout the book is that we may not fully recover from the devastation of the heartbreak we face in our lives, but we can find hope, happiness, and beauty despite the pain. Philip is a charming hero with some scars of his own. His struggles with regrets from the past as well as his verve to make things better in the future will charm readers, as will his love of books and admiration of Indi.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Muir Harbor is an enchanting fictional town that readers will wish were real so they can travel there for their own adventure. Tagg’s attention to detail paints a vivid picture of the town in the reader’s mind that is cozy and endearing. Combined with soul-nourishing messages, moments of humor, and a bit of suspense make this a truly lovely read.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heartrending yet hopeful, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Seaside Wonder</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a tenderly told tale that fans of Christian contemporary romance will not want to miss.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Larkspur Press through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-12550959409321346602022-10-05T18:52:00.002-05:002022-10-05T18:52:26.362-05:00Review: The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f24e9d79-7fff-4140-9cdc-e44e479fdf11" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL-RlmEKTAOPB-poA_Y49n964xlPx3x1uKXy0EeSAKY5ucpkjvmHH7uV_Pr7EVjNisV7TJ1A1QfE7Iok9XzR3Qi7qESK_RBcl_LhGIHu2uAWh24VFwhvedo3AWAThDQRiXFXNkorlUDYkRTSkDUc2NqtPPgFVu-r_7i3n7Dn2m_QhMySbDsTJEUxbmw/s500/41j7RpH1AFL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL-RlmEKTAOPB-poA_Y49n964xlPx3x1uKXy0EeSAKY5ucpkjvmHH7uV_Pr7EVjNisV7TJ1A1QfE7Iok9XzR3Qi7qESK_RBcl_LhGIHu2uAWh24VFwhvedo3AWAThDQRiXFXNkorlUDYkRTSkDUc2NqtPPgFVu-r_7i3n7Dn2m_QhMySbDsTJEUxbmw/s320/41j7RpH1AFL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f24e9d79-7fff-4140-9cdc-e44e479fdf11" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f24e9d79-7fff-4140-9cdc-e44e479fdf11" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Melody-Joanna-Davidson-Politano-ebook/dp/B09V6PKVN5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=19ZJNCKH0L3TK&keywords=the+lost+melody+joanna+davidson+politano&qid=1665013466&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjA1IiwicXNhIjoiMC45OSIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTkifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=The+Lost+Melody+%2Caps%2C1822&sr=8-1">The Lost Melody</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Joanna Davidson Politano</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><p>When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.</p><p>The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?</p><p>Fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now<br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">My Thoughts</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>A Tender and Haunting Historical Novel</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joanna Davidson Politano has become one of my favorite authors. She has a knack for writing incredibly immersive and atmospheric Gothic Victorian fiction with threads of light that leave the reader feeling hopeful at the tale’s end. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lost Melody</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is her best yet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Politano writes a story that paints a picture of Victorian asylums without being too macabre. We show how mistreated those committed to insane asylums were, and the surprisingly vast variety of reasons people were institutionalized. Yet we are also shown the compassion of some characters who had the best interest of the people in the asylum at heart, and the wonders music therapy could do for them. The growth shown for the heroine Vivienne throughout the novel is beautiful. While at first she looks on those committed to the asylum in disdain, she comes to see things differently as she spends time there herself, seeing their plights and feeling their pain. Add in a mystery and a beguiling hero, and you have an absorbing novel that I loved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of Victorian fiction with a Gothic flair and inspirational historical fiction alike won’t want to miss </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lost Melody</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-8074347161767960702022-10-05T18:44:00.002-05:002022-10-05T18:44:49.317-05:00Review: The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephina H. McGee<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DrwILj4kJIA-VdOYblJSdxNB0JETzgIaBrOXT4anCA5Yr7JqmAOsH7zmIODWUkt2pWjpilVj3zzDqaZKK-AxIUUDm9gGVVhYNEu5uhCxD9wMNzH9qmZh6MHaUT320miFzE5vk9tOSXCNcPz8mudeLRG56T_0VVXekgYYgCwmqso2lFjsmHPar24gKA/s500/41nB8VZ66XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DrwILj4kJIA-VdOYblJSdxNB0JETzgIaBrOXT4anCA5Yr7JqmAOsH7zmIODWUkt2pWjpilVj3zzDqaZKK-AxIUUDm9gGVVhYNEu5uhCxD9wMNzH9qmZh6MHaUT320miFzE5vk9tOSXCNcPz8mudeLRG56T_0VVXekgYYgCwmqso2lFjsmHPar24gKA/s320/41nB8VZ66XL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Audible-The-Secrets-of-Emberwild/dp/B0B75TJ8X4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=The+Secrets+of+Emberwild&qid=1665013325&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjcyIiwicXNhIjoiMS4xOSIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDIifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-1">The Secrets of Emberwild</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Stephnia H. McGee</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.<div><br /></div><div>Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A Heartfelt and Tender Historical Romance</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This southern-set historical novel was charming. Nora was an endearing heroine. Her doubts about self-worth and struggles to assert herself as an independent woman are relatable. I appreciated how women’s roles in society at the time of the novel’s setting were highlighted, shining a light on the inequities women faced. Silas was a delightful hero. The strong and silent type, he is a beta male that gives Nora the room she needs to be herself, while being very much present in her life. Readers will enjoy reading about this lovely couple.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The author’s passion for horses is evident throughout the book. Meticulous research was obviously a part of the writing process in this book, and readers who have interest in the subject will certainly appreciate this inclusion. Reading as family secrets unfolded created a nice reading experience.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Readers that love sweet and tender Christian historical romance will want to try </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Secrets of Emberwild</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-57245855368393490082022-09-13T09:59:00.000-05:002022-09-13T09:59:01.374-05:00Review + Spotlight Post: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFb-YGIN5h7rURJRvBdoOoLoBN8redXn2qJtC3NVDD0FJ0QKk-maP0A32KtPTmWkPD8jsCGLP5ehKWFXLMyaOUYVBvsaGZmxyetFFuqC4ji-Hq9BvUbCnZo7yEy8ABmZPh1cD_ckKn4q440EjsgZAee5ZwcZniEAWjU65fxLoV3n2KngnIaAecyYKzQ/s2552/91KJ4YU1gqL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFb-YGIN5h7rURJRvBdoOoLoBN8redXn2qJtC3NVDD0FJ0QKk-maP0A32KtPTmWkPD8jsCGLP5ehKWFXLMyaOUYVBvsaGZmxyetFFuqC4ji-Hq9BvUbCnZo7yEy8ABmZPh1cD_ckKn4q440EjsgZAee5ZwcZniEAWjU65fxLoV3n2KngnIaAecyYKzQ/s320/91KJ4YU1gqL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V6QYPJB">Worthy of Legend </a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">b</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">y Roseanna M. White</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they've made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who stops at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family--even when it means being cut off entirely.<div><br /></div><div>Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table--an interest he's kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Thrilling Conclusion to an Enchanting Series</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have loved the entire </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Secrets of the Isles</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> series. Each book is filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and the magic of legends. I was so excited to see how things would wrap up in </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Worthy of Legend</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and it did not disappoint.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the things I love most about Roseanna M. White’s books is her ability to craft characters that leap off the page and carve places out for themselves in your heart. The characters in </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Worthy of Legend</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are no exception. Emily is such an endearing heroine that I think so many readers will be able to relate to. Her struggles with self-worth and trust are a constant theme throughout the book, paving the way for lessons on learning to stand up for yourself, for what is right, and to trust those that have your best interest at heart.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bram is a delightful hero most worthy of the title. Who wouldn’t love an earl that rescues stray dogs, has a heart that longs to protect the downtrodden, and is never without a sweet of some sort? His fascination with the legends of King Arthur is endearing and it was fun to read about the search for Arthurian treasure. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing that I have loved about this series is how the lady’s maids play such a big role in each story, having their own points of view included in the books. Thomasina was a lovely character and I enjoyed reading as her story with Enyon unfolded. And, of course, it was great getting to revisit characters from throughout the series, like Mamm-wynn, Libby and Oliver, and Beth and Sheridan.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Isles of Scilly are characters themselves in this series. These enchanting islands off the coast of Cornwall draw you in with the lure of pirate treasure and knightly legends, and its flower studded shores are dusted in a fairytale magic that will captivate you. It pairs so nicely with with White’s engaging prose, lovely messages of faith, and hints of mystery, and culminates in a truly delightful reading experience.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of Christian historical romance will most definitely want to grab a copy of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Worthy of Legend</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many thanks to the author and Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mirandaatchley.blogspot.com/2022/01/review-book-spotlight-to-treasure.html?m=1"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">M</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Y </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">R</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EVIEW OF </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">O </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">REASURE </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AN </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EIRESS</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQSXwWN0eEh_s1XeiUjVFuG9xm1_VkMan0GmnagcOe4Euws1vTVzrC1HIZUC7VLKyliAspD4txnVgks2Oc5a-yFc961dnXk9Fn60cZsnl7LSmGShPttsdQtHfm6ricnMiCn4_b_3Z7lPpl0N0bYuLPI50so2KHumN6F6yk28kJtOZUdeL-w_OyZFF9w/s2048/Roseanna%20-%20Author%20Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQSXwWN0eEh_s1XeiUjVFuG9xm1_VkMan0GmnagcOe4Euws1vTVzrC1HIZUC7VLKyliAspD4txnVgks2Oc5a-yFc961dnXk9Fn60cZsnl7LSmGShPttsdQtHfm6ricnMiCn4_b_3Z7lPpl0N0bYuLPI50so2KHumN6F6yk28kJtOZUdeL-w_OyZFF9w/s320/Roseanna%20-%20Author%20Photo.jpg" width="232" /></a></span></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BOUT THE </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UTHOR</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">F</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OLLOW </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">R</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OSEANNA</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/blog" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/newsletter-signup" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; 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white-space: pre-wrap;">Website</span></a></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-58253156436356449812022-09-13T09:30:00.002-05:002022-09-13T09:30:48.442-05:00Review: To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfa2gxjP2bRKQ26Ktc5dIABBLmCX5FMwvKvVkLEDO32m3HqUQW5j-Kozu6zLg-qnsaV5-BSZ5qiYAvWAZHOI8LzQxpSq_6NbLoeo6kAuRw_sydtpkMgGNh9AJ6WRwEi2Ntwr7dRF7f-bCz-MlRoiQ_9ssMhri8gxuUXohobs8Ph5hrPKHSTHkLF9Tw/s500/510OdCaMXYL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfa2gxjP2bRKQ26Ktc5dIABBLmCX5FMwvKvVkLEDO32m3HqUQW5j-Kozu6zLg-qnsaV5-BSZ5qiYAvWAZHOI8LzQxpSq_6NbLoeo6kAuRw_sydtpkMgGNh9AJ6WRwEi2Ntwr7dRF7f-bCz-MlRoiQ_9ssMhri8gxuUXohobs8Ph5hrPKHSTHkLF9Tw/s320/510OdCaMXYL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Win-Prince-Toni-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B09V745SPL/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=to+Win+a+Prince&qid=1663079219&sr=8-1">To Win a Prince</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Toni Shilo</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br />Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?<div><br /></div><div>As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo--the man who betrayed her best friend--will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Ọlọrans. To pay for his actions against Ọlọrọ Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together--if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way . . .<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Fresh and Sweet Royal Rom-Com</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the beautiful covers to the intriguing premises, I’ve been drawn to Toni Shiloh’s contemporary royal romances. Her winning writing style keeps you engaged, and whispers of mystery will have you flying through the pages.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really liked Iris’s character in the prequel, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Search of a Prince</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, so I was excited to read her story. As a heroine, she does not disappoint. She’s fun and bubbly with a big heart and lots of ambition. Her heart for people leaps off the page and is so endearing. She’s definitely the type of character you’d want to spend a day with shopping and chatting over coffee. In the beginning, I wasn’t very sure about Ekon. He’s very bitter about his circumstances, and he is the definition of entitled. Yet as the story progresses, his character changes. He begins to see things from a different perspective, softening him and maturing him. It was fun getting to revisit characters from the previous book, like Brielle and Tomori.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The setting of this book is described so vividly that the scents of ocean air and the delectable foods mentioned throughout will practically fill your senses as you read. I loved getting to immerse myself in a new culture through this book. Reading about Iris’s and Ekon’s respective passions for fashion and jewelry design was fun, as well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you love sweet Christian romance with a royal twist, then you must read </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Win a Prince</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-43080500683415090972022-09-04T09:49:00.002-05:002022-09-04T09:52:58.799-05:00Review: The Florence Legacy by Lauraine Snelling <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-a273919d-7fff-b063-f7c3-4564dba7e027" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjmtNbZS7YqKqTGVHRsRd4h74Iyc6x0OMVKDTkpRDDr_PM2zagT-xFbTlDQ5RvgJdlRx5Ffy-vRqCzyuWjcUUJiWaw1jT2t36ATzjRWEiHThyqYpk1wxlCa-mYaH6HhHoPBhjBehn_Ru7Z98DoICSCHwlWcoaJFxYbo0NDbnqDr9nZfedg78-k-veYA/s500/51l8xuWfRRL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjmtNbZS7YqKqTGVHRsRd4h74Iyc6x0OMVKDTkpRDDr_PM2zagT-xFbTlDQ5RvgJdlRx5Ffy-vRqCzyuWjcUUJiWaw1jT2t36ATzjRWEiHThyqYpk1wxlCa-mYaH6HhHoPBhjBehn_Ru7Z98DoICSCHwlWcoaJFxYbo0NDbnqDr9nZfedg78-k-veYA/s320/51l8xuWfRRL.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-a273919d-7fff-b063-f7c3-4564dba7e027" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-a273919d-7fff-b063-f7c3-4564dba7e027" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Florence-Legacy-Novel-Lauraine-Snelling-ebook/dp/B09N3DW2TM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+Florence+Legacy&qid=1662302551&sr=8-1">The Florence Legacy</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Lauraine Snelling</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><p><br />In this novel filled with friendship, grief, and travel gone awry, three friends take their dream trip to Florence, Italy in memory of a beloved woman who has passed away.</p><p><br /></p><p>As the last will of a close friend is read, three women discover that they have inherited a legacy from her: the funds to take a dream trip to Florence, Italy, in her memory. With plenty of hilarious travel mishaps along the way, this book is a story of deep friendship, of making room in our lives to celebrate and remember, of grief, of the realization that friendship keeps the memory alive, and the sweet discovery of unexpected romance.<br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I heard about this book, I was intrigued. I like Lauraine Snelling’s books and the premise of this story was appealing.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I was expecting it to mostly center on the friends’ trip to Italy. However, the first 40% of the book was mostly about Bree’s family drama. Then when she met a man, we get his point of view along with </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">his</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> family drama. It just didn’t include enough of the actual visit to Florence to live up to the anticipation or really keep me engaged.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not that this was a bad book. The writing is good, as is the case with all of Snelling’s books I’ve read, and I liked Bree and Pierre. It’s a lighthearted read, which is exactly what I need sometimes.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you like lighthearted contemporary Christian women’s fiction, then I think </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Florence Legacy</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a book worth looking into.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from FaithWords through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-16277840310120425102022-09-02T20:41:00.002-05:002022-09-02T20:41:39.430-05:00Review: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytbw2ubG-ImszmTMlJMr89GFMHGu5hAYXieiy9oWptOC_QG7Fe3gojxlfHu4SyiKiQiSKj6I7R5AhlHza3DzuJSE2OKq99SWjcoaYxtwygpm295WJ-d81aY1-FYnrv0hZ9NdaKLoRqrXpCBaiuSXj5fkdIn5nP-s3Po-3B22PxK0kAGqUi0gZBYMGsg/s608/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytbw2ubG-ImszmTMlJMr89GFMHGu5hAYXieiy9oWptOC_QG7Fe3gojxlfHu4SyiKiQiSKj6I7R5AhlHza3DzuJSE2OKq99SWjcoaYxtwygpm295WJ-d81aY1-FYnrv0hZ9NdaKLoRqrXpCBaiuSXj5fkdIn5nP-s3Po-3B22PxK0kAGqUi0gZBYMGsg/s320/images.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Blackfriars-Lane-Michelle-Griep-ebook/dp/B0B19FHWK5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+Bride+of+Blackfriars+Lane&qid=1662168967&sr=8-1">The Bride of Blackfriars Lane</a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">by Michelle Griep</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>About the Book</i></p><p><br /></p><p>The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit!</p><p> </p><p>Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother—despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>My Thoughts</i></p><p><br /></p><p>I love Michelle Griep’s books. They are always adventurous and fun and immersive. Her Kit and Jackson novels are among my favorites. I love this dynamic detective duo and reading about their impending wedding was pure entertainment.</p><p><br /></p><p>Kit is my favorite type of heroine. She’s intelligent (in unconventional ways) and she’s tough and she really doesn’t care what others think of her. Yet we see a loving, caring side to her when it comes to Jackson, his father, and his brother. Reading about her adventures and mishaps was so much fun and I had a blast revisiting this character. And Jackson is just a beguiling hero. He’s gallant and supportive and the love he has for Kit is palpable. They’re the perfect pair and I love reading about them!</p><p><br /></p><p>Griep is the queen of bringing Victorian London to life in her books. The soot stained cobble stone streets fill your mind as you read, and her style harkens back to Dickens.</p><p><br /></p><p>Lovers of adventurous Christian historical romance will want to run, not walk, to the bookstore and snag a copy of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane!</p><p><br /></p><p>I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</p><p><br /></p>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4552551392086875343.post-56530685048778239502022-08-15T10:57:00.001-05:002022-08-15T10:57:32.351-05:00Review: Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller <p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZPCh9GqBetl5tZ3tY3RFwDiIpeVkgnrUjtd4CehE5VewBNNRd_SIPNPrKD5syhPiYu_bP8FzLg5jfSwmKKvbyW0j169_OFfmUbUIwcJ3G5sLuxJFU5Po2N6WjOFd0fyq7vzY8-IygEg93vtoUdRDxJZLty1lv0eFzNL674QAqs-08xXSHJIBAZAj6g/s1800/71QbAPYWTRL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZPCh9GqBetl5tZ3tY3RFwDiIpeVkgnrUjtd4CehE5VewBNNRd_SIPNPrKD5syhPiYu_bP8FzLg5jfSwmKKvbyW0j169_OFfmUbUIwcJ3G5sLuxJFU5Po2N6WjOFd0fyq7vzY8-IygEg93vtoUdRDxJZLty1lv0eFzNL674QAqs-08xXSHJIBAZAj6g/s320/71QbAPYWTRL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B15K2T32/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1660578657&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Midnight’s Budding Morrow</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Carolyn Miller</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book</span></p><br /><br />Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue? Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother.<div><br /></div><div>When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?</div><div><br /></div><div>When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love Carolyn Miller’s books. Her writing harkens to the great writers of Regency fiction and I always feel at home when I read her novels. I was especially excited about </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Midnight’s Budding Morrow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> because of its Gothic flair. It didn’t disappoint.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah and James are both delightful characters in their own rights. Somewhat shy, yet with strong morals and opinions, Sarah will capture the hearts of readers. My heart went out to her as she faced such heartbreaking trials, though they are handled with honesty and grace. James is the best sort of rogue. While at first, he might come across as obnoxious, there are many layers to this character and we see a whole other side to him as the story progresses.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The setting of the book is so lovely and atmospheric. The crumbling castle that is Langley Manor. The moors (!!!). It was just delicious and fabulous. When you combine this with Miller’s lovely prose, you get such an amazing Regency novel. Loved it so much!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Readers who love inspirational historical romance with a solid faith message and a Gothic flair will not want to miss </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Midnight’s Budding Morrow</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.0pt; margin-top: 0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></p></div>Miranda Atchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02923278667073357060noreply@blogger.com0